Chef John's Refried Beans

Ingredients

• 2 cups of cooked pinto beans
• 1/4 cup of vegetable or olive oil
• 1/2 cup of diced onion
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add the cooked pinto beans and mash them with a potato masher until they reach your desired consistency.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, remove from the heat and serve.

Interesting Facts

• Refried beans are a popular side dish in Mexican cuisine.
• They are typically made with pinto beans, but you can also use black or white beans.
• They are a great source of protein and fiber.